Harold T. Johnson Sr.
Harold T. Johnson Sr.
Harold T. Johnson Sr. is an accomplished Producer, Writer and Arranger. Harold is a California State University Dominguez Hills Graduate, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education. He is a Gold Album recipient for Thelma Houston’s “Anyway You Like It” Album and the 5 th Dimension “Star Dancing” Album. He is a Platinum Album recipient for the Temptations Christmas Classic “Give Love At Christmas.”
Music Career started in 1955
Harold was five years old when he began singing and playing piano in church. At five years old, he began formal piano and theory lessons with jazz pianist and public school educator Ms. Irma Lawrence. He also studied string instruments in elementary school, guitar and acoustic bass in middle school.
In 1966: Harold was in High School when he signed with (H.M.E.) an Independent Record Label in Los Angeles. The Harold Johnson Sextet group recorded their first single entitled “Sorry About That” and first album entitled “House On Elm Street.” In 1967, “House On Elm Street was picked up by MCA Universal’s Jazz Label “Revue.” With a new album cover, “House On Elm Street” was released international. Harold recorded two additional albums entitled: “Everybody Loves A Winner” and “Wide Open.” Musical icons David Crawford, Ndugu Chancelor and Larry Nash were original members of The Harold Johnson Sextet.
In 1968: Harold sang lead and tenor with the “Young Saints Performing Arts Group.” The Young Saints were the opening act for Movie Legend Danny Kaye at the newly opened Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.
Artist Career continues…1970-1980
In 1970, Harold signed an exclusive Producer, Writer and Artist agreement with Berry Gordy’s Motown Record Company/Jobete Publishing Company. As a member of the Motown Singing Group “The Devastating Affair” he traveled with Diana Ross as an opening act in the United States, Europe, Australia and the Far East. The Devastating Affair appeared with Diana Ross at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and Harrahs Hotel & Casino in Tahoe, Nevada from 1971 to 1975.
In 1978: Harold appeared with the Temptations on the popular Flip Wilson Television Show as a feature keyboardist.
In 1980: Harold was a Keyboardist and, Arranger for The Temptations International Tour.
1980-1985 Harold signed an exclusive Staff Writer’s Agreement with The Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss A&M Record’s Almo/Irving Music Publishing Company.
Producer, Writer and Arranger: Over forty of Harold’s songs have been recorded by Artists such as Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stanley Turrentine, Devastating Affair, Smokey Robinson, Sylvester, Nate Dogg, Harold Johnson II, Natalia Johnson, Stephanie Mills, Olivia Reese, Liz Mc Comb, Jerry Butler, 21 st Creation, Three Ounces Of Love, Dennis Edwards, Z.Z. Hill, Thelma Houston, Tata Vega, Michael Wycoff, Atlantic Starr, Rockie Robbins, Gloria Gaynor, LTD and Jeffrey Osbourne, The OJAYS, The Temptations and more.
Movie Soundtracks
Writer and Arranger: Harold has written for several Movie Sound Tracks which includes, “Hang over Blues” in the Scott Joplin Story, starring Billy Dee Williams and Clifton Davis, and “Quality of Mercy” with Michelle Shocked for the Oscar Winning Movie “Dead Man Walking.” Harold’s song “Let’s Get Closer” originally recorded by Atlantic Starr was also sampled by Artist Nate Dogg - “Nobody Does It Better”, the title track for the Movie entitled “Woo”, starring Jada Pinkett Smith. Harold also composed for the Classic Movie “Crossroads.”
1973 Studio Musician * Keyboards Hammond B3
Organist on Eddie Kendricks Billboard No.1 Single
“Keep On Trucking”
1985-2002 Music Teacher for LAUSD.
1996 – Present Harold continues to tour with Gospel Artist
Liz McComb of Paris, France.
Play Writer 2005
NAACP Theatre Image Awards Nominee... 2005
“At The Lincoln Theatre” A Musical Drama Stage Production with a cast of 21, depicting Central Avenue of Los Angeles, California during 1948.
2006 - Present
Chairman of The Board for JQ*MEG Inc.
(Just Quality Music Entertainment Group Inc.)
Starzon Filmworks
JQ Records *Just Quality Musiqué
Downsound Music Publishing House Inc.
